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Here’s how turmeric helps you look beautiful on D-Day

Considering it has a ceremony of its own during the wedding celebrations, turmeric aka haldi is very important to an Indian wedding. And why not, as it has many beauty benefits that make you glow all the more on D-Day!

Spice for all timesWhether it is healing scars and wounds, curing coughs and colds, removing tan and acne or fighting wrinkles and slowing down the ageing process, turmeric has many health and beauty benefits. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and breakouts to provide a youthful glow to your skin. It also regulates the production of sebum – an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, and reduces the oiliness in skin. It also acts on the skin tone and reduces tanning effect by melanin.

During the ceremonyThis ceremony happens a day or two before the wedding, where the bride and groom are separately (and most often in their respective homes) applied haldi on, all over the body by family and relatives. The haldi mixture is made by either particular family traditions or generally mixing it with some sandalwood powder and rosewater to make a paste. The reason behind applying haldi is multifold: it wards off the evil eye (‘nazar na lage!’) and the auspiciousness of the ingredient and its colour ushers in a life of prosperity for the couple, who are starting off their new life together. It is also done to help the couple in their beauty and health needs, as turmeric is very beneficial. Turmeric also helps reduce the nervousness as curcumin, an antioxidant that is present in turmeric, is known to work as a mild anti-depressant and a natural remedy for headaches as well.

Turmeric packs• Turmeric-sandalwood ubtan: It works to remove tan and sooth your dull and tired skin. Mix sandalwood powder with turmeric and gram flour. Add raw milk and rosewater to make a smooth paste that is not too runny or too thick. Apply it all over your face and body and let it dry completely. Then wash it off with normal water.• Turmeric-gram flour-wheat bran ubtan: This gives the skin a natural glow. Mix gram flour, wheat bran, milk cream or yoghurt, and a pinch of turmeric in a bowl and keep the mixture to rest. Massage your body with sesame seed oil, and then apply this mixture over it. Leave it for half an hour and wash it off with lukewarm water.• Turmeric-papaya ubtan: This will help with the skin radiance and moisturise it well. It also helps with skin elasticity. Take a thin slice of papaya and mash its pulp. Add a half tablespoon of turmeric powder and a little bit of honey and mix. Massage this mask on the clean face for few minutes. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.